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Coronavirus in Ohio: DeWine warns violations at bars could lead to criminal charges

Gov. Mike DeWine warned restaurants and bar owners on Monday they could lose liquor licenses or face criminal charges if they don’t follow social-distancing requirements to help prevent coronavirus infections.

The reopening of outdoor dining at restaurants and bars under six-foot state-imposed virus precautions beginning Friday was not without social-distancing concerns and controversy.

Photos of the packed outdoor patio of Standard Hall in the Short North in Columbus, with young patrons packed shoulder-to-shoulder and few voluntarily wearing face masks, made national news over the weekend.

The owner of Standard Hall said his restaurant and bar was unfairly targeted with a referral to the city attorney’s office for potential action.

DeWine warns that “irresponsible” businesses that don’t follow social-distancing and other requirements will face enforcement actions.

The governor said workers are being summoned to supplement the state Investigative Unit, which polices liquor laws, to check virus precaution compliance at bars and restaurants. Local officials will work with the patio patrol, as well.

Violators could face action affecting their state liquor licenses and be referred to local prosecutors for potential criminal charges, DeWine said.

Who's been cited so far?

The Investigative Unit, in addition to warnings, issued three citations during the weekend, state officials said. The Park Street Cantina in Columbus was cited for violating social-distancing requirements and two taverns in Clark and Seneca counties were cited for improperly selling alcohol for inside consumption.

Columbus Public Health issued virus violation warnings to eight city bars and restaurants during the weekend.

“As we look at how our restaurants and bars operate, the (social) distance is absolutely the key thing ... it was clear most restaurants were doing an amazingly good job, bars, too. But, it was clear we had outliers. Ones doing just not what they should do,” DeWine said.

Restaurants and bars that cannot comply with required virus precautions should close or not reopen, the governor said.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said people must remain seated at tables at least six feet apart and cannot mingle. “Ultimately, you are accountable for this and if you can’t do it, you can’t open,” Husted told bar and restaurant operators.

“Interrupting the spread of coronavirus will determine how successful we are in opening up our economy,” DeWine said. “You cannot have a successful reopening of the economy if we get surges in coronavirus.”

The latest coronavirus cases in Ohio

The new numbers of confirmed and probable coronavirus cases boosted Ohio’s total to 28,454 while the COVID-19 death toll climbed to 1,657.

The 531 daily cases -- amid increased testing -- were higher than Sunday’s number of 449, when the state also reported 15 deaths. Ohio’s 21-day average of new daily infections totaled 578 as of Monday.

Hospitalizations and intensive-care unit admissions also have been trending below three-week averages of 77 and 17, respectively, with Sunday recording 51 hospitalizations and five ICU admissions. The numbers rose to 77 hospitalizations on and 17 ICU admissions Monday.

Ohio’s deaths amount to 14 per 100,000 population, placing the seventh-largest state 17th in the U.S., including Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. Deaths total eight per 100,000 population if nursing home and prison fatalities are excluded.

The state’s total confirmed cases equate to 224 per 100,000 population -- 29th in the United States, according to federal figures.

A Corrections Reception Center nurse, who worked at the intake center in Pickaway County, has become the third prison employee to die from COVID-19. Sixty-two inmates also have died.

In its bid to escalate testing as Ohioans are freed from stay-at-home orders -- and tamp down an expected increase in infections as the economy restarts -- the state reported a daily record of 17,760 tests Sunday to surpass 250,000 total. The daily number fell to 7,282 on Monday.

Last week, the state reported conducting an average of 7,147 tests a day, less than half DeWine’s goal of 18,000 tests a day as the state continues to work to obtain needed testing supplies.

What is Ohio's reopening plan?

With offices, retail stores, personal care businesses and outdoor dining now permitted, public and private campgrounds can reopen Thursday, as can socially-distanced indoor dining.

Gyms, fitness centers and Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle offices will follow on May 26. Restricted-capacity day care centers and summer day camps are cleared to reopen on May 31.

Husted said the state is working with Ohio High School Athletic Association officials on protocols to permit athletes to train for school-sanctioned sports, although games remain off limits and schools are closed.

DeWine said he will address the disproportionate impact of coronavirus in the African American community on Thursday.

Blacks account for 26% of virus cases -- while comprising about 13% of Ohio’s population -- and 17% of statewide deaths, with experts saying a lack of access to health care and chronic health conditions play a role.

DeWine appointed a 38-member Minority Health Strike Force on April 20 to help advise state officials and develop recommendations. U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, and former Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman are among the members.